Ring-stamping apparatus.



No. 658,736. Patented Sept. 25', 1900.

W. H. FORD. RING STAMPING APPARATUS. (Application filed July 10, 1899. (No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet l.

mes-9&9. Ewerzfir No. 658,736. Patented sent. 25, 1900.. w. u. roan.

RING STAMPING APPARATUS.

(Application. file l July 10, 1899.)

(No Model.) a ,sheet-sheet g.

m: norms PETERS co.. momumo" WASNKNGTON, n. c,

No. 658,736. Patented Sept. 25, 1900. v w. n. ronn.

RING STAMPING APPARATUS (A i nm on filed July 10 1899) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. FORD, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CYRUS W. RUSSELL, OF SAME PLACE.

RlNG-STAM PING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,736, dated September 25, 1900.

Application filed J ly 10, 1899. Serial No- 723,263. .llo 1110(161-1 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. FORD, of Lowell, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in maker of the ring or any other character or symbol desired.

Finger-rings are customarily marked to indicate the name of the maker or his trademark or some other symbol representative of the origin of the ring and also to indicate the carat or fineness of the gold used, and such trade-mark or symbol and the carat must be and are usually separated at a proper or predetermined distance one from the other about the ring, and they are located between the edges of the ring. 7

The particular features of my invention illustrated in the embodiment thereof that I have chosen to represent in the accompanying drawings will be hereinafter fully described, and set forth in'the claims.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the attachment, showing the manner of using the same. Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the mandrel, the position or center indicator,

and certain other parts. Fig. 2 is a section of Fig. 2 in the dotted line y y. Figs. 3 and 4c are side elevation and front elevation, respectively, of the same. Fig. 5 is a detail left-hand view of a portion of one of the jaws of the clamp, a ring-holder, the mandrel supported by the clamp, and the finger-ring fitted in the ring-holder and surrounding the mandrel. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views, in

front elevation and plan, respectively, of a device for circumferentially holding the finger-ring. Figs. 8 and 9 are views corresponding substantially with Figs. 1 and 5, respectively, and illustrate a modified means for marking the finger-ring.

My improved apparatus is herein represented as consisting of asuitable clamp,which consists of suitable means to hold and position the ring to be marked, and a mandrel having suitable dies or characters to be embraced by the finger-ring, said mandrel being suitably sustained by and longitudinally adjustable in or with relation to the clamp, and means acting to force the mandrel and the ring together in order that that die of the mandrel may act to impress the desired character upon the ring. l

I have shown a holder which affords a seat for the ring being acted upon by the die of the mandrel, and said holder in its preferred form will be so shaped as to embrace the ring circumferentially, the apparatus including a series of such holders which may be of substantially the same diameter eXter'iorly, the

openings in the holder varying, however, in

diameter according to the number or size of the ring; but it is not essential in all instances that'the holder should be of a shape to engage the entire periphery of the ring.

The apparatus herein shown and representing the best form now known to me in which my invention may be embodied consists of a base or frame 26, having a suitable pivot 25, (see Fig. 2,) upon which is pivotally mounted the mandrel M, said pivot being inserted into its operative position through a hole 25 made in one side of the frame 26, said mandrel being provided, as represented, with a series of dies, as 20 20*, shown as extending from the mandrel, the dies 20 being supposed to be adapted to impress into the finger-ring the N, represented as a rod having a point 3, said 5 rod being adjustable longitudinally in posts 31 and 32, extended from said carrier, a suitable clamping-screw 33 serving to clamp said indicator in any position desired, said indicator in operation being adjusted longitudi- 'roo nally so that its point may exactly contact, as in Fig. 4, with the center of either of the The rear or rightdies 20 or 20 to be used, said point indicating the position of said die to the operator when the die is hidden by being surrounded by the ring or the holder for the ring to be described. The base 26 has suitable guideways in which may be entered and slid shanks 35, having fixed to their outer ends in any I suitable manner blocks 38, said blocks having in turn suitable guideways to receive the shanks d of suitable shoulders d or gages, said gages being represented as in two parts or separated for the reception of a portion of the periphery of the mandrel, said shanks being held in adjusted position with relation to the edges of the block 38 by suitable setscrews 39, the distance between the shoulders d and said blocks varying according to the width of the ring or shoulder H. These shanks 35 are adjustable in the base 26 to put the edges of the blocks 38 in the desired position with relation to the die on the mandrel which it is desired to use, and said blocks may be held in any adjusted position required by suitable set-screws 37. The shanks 35 are adjusted in the base 26 whenever the position-indicator is adjusted longitudinally with relation to said base to thereby properly position the shoulders and point of the edge gage with relation to any one of the dies to be used.

The mandrel during the operation of marking a ring has to be sustained firmly, and to do this at each side of the holder or ring I have mounted said mandrel in a support or device 0, represented as a clamp composed of two jaws 16 under the control of two hand-screws 17 and 18, and the ends of these jaws are concaved, as at 19, to receive the circular back or inoperative side of the mandrel end, the opposite side of the mandrel or that not sustained in said seat being provided with the dies 20 20 of any desired number and character.

In order that sufficient pressure may be exerted to force the die and the ring so closely together that the die may stamp the ring, I have in this embodiment of my invention represented for a pressure device jaws 4O 41, supposed to be the jaws of an ordinary vise under the control of an ordinary screw, whereby said jaws may be made to approach or leave each other, and in the operation of my apparatus one end of the clamp is sustained by one face of the jaws, while the holder or other seat against which the ring rests while the die of the mandrel is being made to act upon the ring to impress itself therein is made to rest against the opposed jaw, the power used to effect the pressure and mark the ring being exerted by the usual screw of the Vise. Instead of this particular vise I may use any other usual or suitable supports, as 41, be-

In the best form known to me of my invention I preferto insert the finger-ring F in a holder H, preferably composed of steel and provided with an open center, as H, the diameter of said center opening varying in different holders, according to the external diameter of the ring to be marked. Each holder is represented as provided externally with a mark, as 46, said marks being separated one from the other for a greater or less distance with relation to the circumference of said holder, as it may be desired to separate the trade-mark from the carat-mark.

As herein represented,the mandrel is shown as provided with four carat-marking dies 20 and let it be supposed that the carat-mark next the trade-mark 20 is to be used the ring F will be measured as to its width and will be inserted in an opening H of suitable size in the holder H, and thereafter or at any suitable time the user of the apparatus will make a circumferential mark, as d, on the exterior of the holder, said mark practically crossing or being at right angles to the two lines 45 and 46, 'and said mark will be made distant from the edge of the holder equal to one-half of the measured width of the ring, said mark being designated as a centering-mark, it designating the location of the median line of the ring in the direction of its width to indicate said median line when the edge of the finger-ring is put inside the holder, one edge of the finger-ring and one edge of the holder being in alinement. Having applied the finger-ring to be marked within the holder and marked the same and having previously so adjusted the position-indicator that its point 3 may contact with the die then to be used, the mandrel is put into its dotted-line position, Fig. 3, and the holder containing the ring adjusted as described therein, and the holder marked is placed upon the mandrel and the mandrel is lifted or turned into its full-line position, and the operator will, by the screws 39, adjust the shoulders d to meet the holder. The opposite sides of the holder contacting with the blocks 38 and the shanks d having been fixed in adjusted position by the set-screws 39, the user of the apparatus will adjust the shanks 35 longitudinally and will put the holder II in such position and clamp it in its adjusted position, so that the point 3 of the position-indicator contacts with the centering-mark at the exterior of the holder, and the holder will be so placed that the line 15, indicating the caratmark, may also fall directly in line with the point 3. The positions of the shoulders and blocks containing the holder between them having been gained with relation to the die to be used, the operator will place the holder between the jaws of the clamp, seating the part of the mandrel opposite the dies in the concaved ends of the clamp, and the screws 17 and 18 of the clamp will be turned to clamp the holder containing the ring to be marked,

one side of the ring in the holder contacting preferably with the shoulders 01, and this done the clamp engaging the holder will be put between the jaws of the compression members 11, as represented in Fig. 1, the positioning memberlbeing put into its inoperative position, and said compression members will be ac,tuated,-they in their movement causing the die to imprint the character contained upon it central with relation to the ring, and it is herein shown at the interior of the ring.

The adjustments of the position-indicator, the shoulders, and the gage must be made as hereinbefore provided for when either of the dies is to operate, and, supposing that the carat-mark was made first, as herein provided for, and that the trade-mark was to follow, in this latter condition the position-indicator will be adjusted so that its point comes directly over the die 20, the shoulders and gage will be adjusted to the left, bringing the center-mark of the holder under the point 3 of the indicator, and the holder will be turned partially in the clamp to bring the line 46 under the point 3 of the indicator, when the holder will be again clamped firmly in position and the impression made as before.

The partial rotation of the holder for the: distance indicated between the lines and 46 insures the making of the trade-mark at the proper defined distance from the carat-mark and both central with relation to the width of the ring.

While I prefer for the best results to make the holder in the form of a ring to substantially or completely encircle the finger-ring, yet I may in some instances make the holder as a part of the ring or of segmental shape internally, as represented at in Fig. 8, and in such form the seat 60 will be applied to and retained in suitable manner in'contact with the face-say of the jaw 4=O--the other parts of said Fig. 8 being substantially as represented in Figs. 1 to 7, the clamp, however, embracing only the ring.

The base or frame 26 in the form in which I have herein chosen to illustrate it is composed of parallel bars 4, 5, 6, and 7, united by suitable bottom and top plates 10 12, the plates being connected with the bars in any suitable manner, as by soldering or brazing, a space being left between the bars 4 5 and the bars 6 7 for the reception of the shanks 35,while a wider space is left between the bars 5 and 6 for the reception of the mandrel, the pivot 25 being sustained only'in the bars 5 and 6.

The seat 60 may be formed by impressing the exterior of the ring to be marked or a pattern resembling it into zinc or other material, which will cool and form a matrix corresponding substantially with the exterior of the ring.

The invention herein described is not limited to the exact form in which the elements hereinbefore described are shaped'nor to their exact arrangement in the manner specified, as these figures may be variously altered without departing from the scope of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- V 1. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, means to position and hold a finger-ring in operative position with relation to a die of the mandrel, and a suitable seat for said mandrel.

2. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, means to support the exterior of said finger-rin g, means to seat said mandrel, and means to exert pressure between said ring and mandrel to mark the ring.

3. A ring-marking attachment, com prising a die-carrying mandrel, a seat for the mandrel, and a ring-holder substantially encircling the ring.

4. A ring-markin g attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, and a base upon which said mandrel is mounted; combined with means cooperating with said mandrel to aid in positioning the ring over the die to be used.

5. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, and a base upon which said mandrel is mounted; combined with a position-indicator to indicate the point on the mandrel occupied by the die to be used in marking the ring.

6. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, and a base in which said mandrel is mounted; combined with adjustable means to locate the ring opposite the die of the mandrel to be used.

7. A ring-marking attachment, com prising a die-carrying mandrel, a holder to hold the ring circumferentally, a clamp to. cooperate with said holder, and movable guides located to position the ring relatively to the die to be used.

8. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, a holder acting on the exterior of the ring, a clamp cooperative with the ring-holder, a seat for the mandrel, and means to force the ring against a die on the mandrel.

9. Aring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, means to adjust and maintain said ring in desired longitudinal position on said mandrel, means to seat the mandrel,and means to force the ring and mandrel into contact.

10. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, and a device for circumferentially engaging a ring while a die is acting to mark the ring.

11. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, a holder for circumferentially engaging a finger-ring, and a position-indicator cooperative with said holder and serving to indicate the position to be occupied by the holder over the mandrel and insure the proper position for the ring to be marked.

12. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a mandrelhavingaseries of dies, aholder adapted to circumferentially engage a fingerring surrounding said mandrel, said holder having transverse marks upon its periphery, and a position-indicator adjustable to occupy a position opposite any one of the dies on the mandrel.

13. In a ring-marking attachment, a holder encircling the finger-ring to be marked, said holder having a center-mark upon its surface at a distance from its edge to define the position of the mark put upon the ring from the edge of the finger-ring.

14. In a ring-marking attachment, a holder encircling the finger-ring to be marked, said holder having a center-mark upon its surface at a distance from its edge to define the position of the mark put upon the ring from the edge of the finger-ring, and a position-indicator cooperating with said center-mark.

15. In a ring-marking attachment, a ring serving to inclose a finger-ring and having a plurality of transverse grooves constituting indicating-marks to cooperate with the position-indicator to define the distance apart of the marks or impressions made in the ring.

16. In a ring-marking attachment, a clamp to receive between its jaws a fin ger-ring to be marked, a mandrel surrounded by said ring and provided with a die, means to sustain the exterior of said ring at a point opposite the die of the mandrel, and means to exert pressure upon the clamp to cause the die to act and mark the ring.

17. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a die-carrying mandrel, and a base upon which said mandrel is mounted; combined with a position-indicator to indicate the point on the mandrel occupied by the die to be used,

and guides cooperating with said mandrel to position the ring to be marked.

18. A ring-marking attachment, comprising a base having pivoted upon it a mandrel having suitable dies, said mandrel having pivoted upon it a position-indicator adapted to be adjusted to place its point opposite the die of the mandrel to be used, a holder and a gage supported from said base and adapted to be adjusted relatively each to the other to aiford a space for the reception of the ring to be marked.

19. In a ring-marking attachment, a base, a mandrel movably mounted with relation to said base, a plurality of shoulders adapted to occupy a position at one side of the ring to be marked, a plurality of gages adapted to cocupy a position at the opposite edge of the ring to be marked, and means to support said shoulders and gages, the mandrel when in working position standing between the individual shoulders and gages, the ring surrounding the mandrel standing between the shoulders on one side and the gages on the other side, the die of the mandrel extending beyond the faces of the mandrel and being thereby to contact with the ring surrounding the mandrel and enable said ring to be seated while the pressure is exerted between the mandrel and the ring to enable the die to mark the ring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. FORD.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. GREGORY, HEATH SUTHERLAND. 

